Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Mashed Potato Snowmen and Meatless Christmas Presents

A couple of nights ago we had meatloaf again, and this time I wrote down every single drop and pinch of every ingredient I used. Instead of making mini loaves, this time I shaped them into squares and decorated them with green bell peppers slices to make Christmas presents.

1- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2- In a sauce pan, saute the onion in the olive oil until tender.
3- Whisk together the tomato sauce, tomato paste, soy milk, salt and adobo.
4- Add the tomato mix to the sauteed onions in the saucepan (it will splatter a little bit, tomato fireworks!) and heat it up just until it simmers.*
5- Stir in the frozen beef style crumbles and remove from heat.
6- Stir in the breadcrumbs.
7- Spray an 8x8 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Take out about 1/4 of the meatloaf mix and shape into a loaf with your hands (it's messy, so use gloves if you must). Place the loaf on the baking dish and do the same with the rest of the mix to form 4 loaves. If you're making the little presents instead, shape the meatloaf mix into 6 to 8 little squares and place them on the baking dish.
8- Whisk together the three basting ingredients and brush half of the mix on the tops and sides of each mini loaf/square.
9- Bake for 15 minutes.
10- Remove from the oven, flip the loaves/squares upside down and brush the rest of the basting mix on the tops and sides. Bake for 10 more minutes.

*If you're using thawed or refrigerated crumbles, you don't need to simmer the tomato mix, just add the tomato mix to the onions and stir in the non-frozen crumbles right away.

This is enough for the two of us, if you need to double the recipe you should use a larger pot instead of a saucepan. These also make good meatballs!

If you want to decorate them like Christmas presents, just steam or boil a few green bell pepper strips and use some ketchup or tomato sauce as glue to stick them to the squares. I sauteed the peppers and they are tasty, but they have brown spots that wouldn't be there if they were steamed or boiled until soft and manageable. The little pepper pieces sticking up on the tops are raw, so they don't look all droopy!

Last night we had mashed potato snowmen! I made them using cookie scoops, a large one for the bodies and a small one for the heads. They have steamed red pepper scarves and pea buttons. The noses are little carrot pieces, the mouths are black olive slices cut in half, and the eyes are black beans. We had them on top of black bean patties, so the black beans came in handy for the eyes.

Notice the olive tips as hats? They look like yarmulkes! It was unintentional, but I thought they looked cute! Allow me to remind you again that I am indeed an adult.

60 comments
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*Blushes* Dude you're too lovely! I learnt everything I know about themed food from the master (FYI that's you. Miss Modest!) >:o)You've made adorably cute Rabbit proof food again though! Those snowmen taters are so darn wonderful! Does it not break your heart to eat them?And thank you soooo much for the meatloaf recipe, I've been waiting (as patiently as I am able!)for those! Yay! I am going to try them this week. If they taste half as yummy as they look then you may just have saved Christmas dinner in the warren! (I've lost the will to protest my un-rabbitness anymore. I blame the Treehugger!).Loving your work!*HUGS* xx

i love your adorable meatloaf gifts (brilliant on the pepper strips) & super cute mashed potato snow men (i love their hats the most!). i cannot tell you enough how creative you are, River! i would love to think of all the themed awesomeness you do! :) and thank you so so soooo much for the recipe! (printing it off as i type this! w00t!)

i am so glad you're giving weight training a try. when i first started weight training i actually lost a pound or so, but i quickly gained it back in the form of more muscle (i think at first i lost fat, then gained more muscle after the first 2 months). i like to have a bit of protein after i work out with weights - sometimes i'll have a handful of beans, a bit of granola, a slice of bread with smear of peanut butter, or a "shake" made with: oats, walnuts, some peanut butter, molasses, protein powder & non-dairy milk (just blend it all together. you can add a smidge of agave to sweeten it up if you like.) but you don't have to do protein snacks if you don't want to - i'm just usually a bit hungry after weight training for a bit. oh yes, and i wanted to send you a link to this site too. it was most helpful in making weights a little less intimidating for me! ;) (i don't agree with her views on nutrition, but she has some excellent advice on technique and some other good advice).

thanks for the links to everyone's festive blogs! i am going to check them all out and dip into the holiday spirit some more! thanks, River!

Thanks for the mention, again! But they were your invention! I decided on ganache because A) it's quicker B) kids are not as tempted to lick off just the frosting and leave the cupcake behind C) I just liked how it looked.And I went with fresh cherries instead, because the grocery store happened to have decent ones that didn't break the bank.

Good on ya for starting some weight training. Can't wait to get back at it myself.And I can't wait to try your meatless meatloaf recipe!

Mmmm. Your dinner looks incredibly good. You're reminding me that I need to get back into weight training. I was quite into it last year and fell off the healthy eating and weight training wagon. I'm hoping to get back into it in the new year.

What an amazing list of holiday goodies--I can't wait for your "final list" of everything at the end of the month!

Those snowmen are ADORABLE. And now again, in French: ADORABLE!! We had a huge snowstorm today and I was just thinking of snowmen. . . synchronicity, for sure! (Except I like yours much better than the ones actually made of snow!). ;) I bet the weights will do the trick, too (funny how the things that help with weight GAIN also help with weight LOSS--as in my case--isn't it? But sadly, no hot personal trainer for me).

oh i missed you! I was gone for vacation (alone with the two kids and inlaws) so I didnt get to see your blog.... but you dont disappoint! I was just thinking of making some kind of chocolate cookie with icing and mints, like some I have seen from Pampered Chef.. and there you go with a great shout out to peppermint cupcakes.. Its like you save half the work FOR me!Cant wait to make the meatloaf. The inlaws will be here until my bday (jan 11) and I will be sooo outnumbered. It will be good to make some meat free meat loafs while they are out for poor old bessy!~Mel

YAY!I was sooo excited about your meatloaf recipe and what equally gorgeous presentation!!AWESOME!!Those Snowmen taters are just adorable River.I just LOVE how you LOVE playing with food - so much fun.xx

The snowmen are so cute!! I could eat them all day! And I've never had something similar to meatloaf (with or without meat), but it sounds really interesting.On the weight (both yours and the training) issues... go girl!

Those snowmen are too cute for words! I hope I get a chance to make these will Guppy! If I do I'll totally tell you.Weight training is such a great thing- even if it doesn't help you gain, it'll help you build up muscle, which will get you all cut and spiffy!

You are welcome to come over ANY time to play with Henry… his favorite things in the world are cuddles and hugs! (But if you come over, could you maybe bring some of those cutie spinach pancakes for Henry’s hungry human friend???)

At the risk of repeating myself, your recipes are simply amazing! The meatless meatballs and snowmen look too good to eat, but I'm sure I could manage :) I love the green pepper ribbons on the "meatballs"

I'd like to invite you to take some time to drop by at Foodista. We have launched an online food and cooking encyclopedia ala wikipedia where you can contribute and share what you know about food and cooking techniques.

Welcome to Wing It Vegan! I am River and this blog is where I keep track of my favorite recipes. Hopefully you will find some new favorites here as well! Please, don't run away scared if you're not vegan! I promise I won't throw rotten beets or snarky judgments at you. MORE